Rewiring & Fuse Board Replacement

When do you need to think about re-wiring and fuse board replacement?

How do you know if you need a fuse board replacement? If your fuse box has failed an Electrical Installation Condition Report it must be brought up to standard straight away for safety reasons. But, as long as your old fuse box has been tested and found to be safe, there is no legal reason you should replace your old fuse box with a new consumer unit. However, even if your fuse box passes its electrical installation condition report it is worth considering upgrading it to a modern consumer unit. These detect power surges and switch off power much faster than an old-fashioned fuse if there is a problem. If you are having a rewire your fuse board must meet the bs7671 wiring regulations. Or be changed for a new one.

Once a new consumer unit has been installed the whole electrical installation will need to be tested to make sure that it is all working correctly and is safe. You will be issued with an Electrical Installation Certificate and the electrician will also notify the Local Authority Building Control. You should receive a letter confirming this. Only a properly qualified Part P electrician can issue these certificates – this is not a job for a DIY enthusiast!

If your fuse board is no longer fit for purpose, then you may want to think about whether your wiring is still safe and think about re-wiring at the same time. If one is old and worn out, then the other is likely to be too.